July 13, 2026
Sandra Strother, Chair
Manhattan Community Board 3 Landmarks Committee
59 East 4th Street
New York, NY 10003
Via email: sandra4tenants@gmail.com
Re: NYC LPC Certificate of Appropriateness Application for Temporary Plaza at Middle Collegiate Church, 112 Second Avenue, East Village/Lower East Side Historic District
Dear Chair Strother:
The Lower East Side Preservation Initiative — LESPI — is not opposed to the installation of a temporary plaza, including a fence and new church entryway at the referenced property. However, we believe that, although minimally visible from the street, the design of the new entryway would be more appropriate as an arched opening as opposed to the application’s triangular shaped opening.
Moreover, the applicant should work with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission staff to arrive at a very limited duration for any temporary permit. We look forward to seeing plans for a new, well-designed building that maintains the existing streetwall and is appropriate for this historic district.
A temporary open plaza, while an improvement over existing conditions, is not characteristic of the East Village/Lower East Side, and LESPI would not support this plan as a permanent condition.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Richard D. Moses
President
Cc: Susan Stetzer, Manhattan Community Board 3
Deborah Wye, LESPI
